I usually don't mention the album reviews (simply because there are too many), but I would like to make an exception for the Seattle Weekly, in which Rod Smith wrote the article Resident Evil Two. I would like to mention this because Marc Ribot decided this review deserved an answer in the section Letters to the Editor.
9 comments:
awesome. i like it when critics are put in their place(s).....
disclaimer: i know that no matter how i qualify the following comment i am going to catch flack for this but i do want to make it known i admire marc ribot as a musical genius of sorts and an absolutely unparalleled instrumentalist and obviously judging by his comment he is quite knowledgeable on the topic he argued and i don't disagree with his point of view in the slightest. in addition the review, as far as reviews go, was not only a fairly positive but it was well written.
with that said i must say that music critics are the lowest possible form of life in the music industry food chain. i admit i occasionally read reviews and don't fault marc for his curiosity and interest in what people are writing about the albums he appears on, but i don't recommend anyone take any real notice of what these people have to say. music is something that can only be experienced. you can not transfer this experience to another even with the most powerful combination of words. the fact that there's a system in place where one man is paid to offer his, typically shallow (and probably bought), opinion/interpretation of a particular piece of music is sad. my issue with marc here is that he should not even bother offering a rebuttal. if anything it makes him look quite lame.
'Definition of rock journalism: People who can't write, doing interviews with people who can't think, in order to prepare articles for people who can't read.' (Frank Zappa)
your rebuttal, if anything, makes YOU look quite lame.
Okay guys (and galls), I would like to ask you to keep things civilised. I doubted whether I should allow comments - and especially 'anonymous' comments - because I never intended this to be a forum, but a source of news. In the end, I decided to allow comments, because I figured people might find it easier to post some extra info this way (instead of mailing me). It seems to work pretty well so far: no commercial activity, no personal attacks, no hassle.
Please let us keep it that way. If not, I will not hesitate to close all comments.
The letter in the Seattle Weekly was signed "Marc Ribot". That's good enough for me. Should anyone have indications to the contrary, I will post them.
I am scared this weblog - which only purpose was to spread news about the work of Tom Waits - will become flooded with pointless shouting matches. I am scared that people, like on so many other news groups and message boards, will start fighting. I am scared they will do this anonymously. If you feel the urge to do all of the above, I am sure there are many places you can do so. Not here.
In my opinion, this has nothing to do with being "weak". And even if it does, I don't care.
Right on, Eyeball Kid!
I think the vast majority of Waits' fans are cool enough not to promote silly spats. And those that try should simply be ignored by the rest of us. It's not about us, it's about him. Keep up the good work Eyeball.
BTW, I posted anonymously because I'm supposed to be working.
And since this is the most competent web resource for Tom's news, let's keep it as it is, bug-free.
Greetingz to all Waits fans!
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